Former Minneapolis Police Officer Charged With Illegally Acquiring Controlled Substances, Extortion, Violation Of Civil Rights

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced an 11-count federal indictment charging TY RAYMOND JINDRA, 28, with acquiring controlled substances by deception, extortion under color of official right, and deprivation of rights under color of law. JINDRA, who was taken into custody earlier today, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from September 2017 through October 2019, JINDRA, a former police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department (“MPD”), abused his position in order to obtain and attempt to obtain controlled substances including methamphetamine, heroin, oxycodone, cocaine, and other drugs by deception, extortion, and conducting unconstitutional searches and seizures.

According to the allegations in the indictment, as part of his scheme, JINDRA diverted controlled substances for his own purposes by various means in the course of his duties as a MPD officer. JINDRA diverted controlled substances by not reporting, logging, placing into evidence, or informing his partner or other officers on scene about the controlled substances that he had confiscated. On some occasions, JINDRA would find ways to interact with or search an individual, vehicle, or residence so that he could surreptitiously recover controlled substances without his partner’s knowledge. At times, JINDRA conducted searches beyond the scope warranted under the circumstances in attempt to recover controlled substances. At times, JINDRA would turn off his body-worn camera when he found, concealed or diverted controlled substances he lawfully possessed in the course of his duties as a MPD officer.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald thanks the FBI for its skilled investigative work on this case and the Minneapolis Police Department for its immediate notification to the FBI and substantial assistance in bringing this indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Michelle E. Jones are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

TY RAYMOND JINDRA, 28

Elk River, Minn.

Charges:

• Acquiring controlled substances by deception, 6 counts
• Extortion under color of official right, 2 counts
• Deprivation of rights under color of law, 3 counts

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600